Local News

Flash flooding and mudslides have shut down a portion of State Road 63 in Pecos, according to The Associated Press. New Mexico State Police say the closure is from mile post 15 northbound. They say the flash flooding and mudslides are presenting dangerous driving conditions for motorists and residents. State police said Monday that the affected portion of State Road 63 will remain closed until further notice.

The New Mexico Children’s Foundation (NMCF) recently awarded the Fourth Judicial District Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program $3,000 for the recruitment, retention, and training of CASA volunteers. This is the third consecutive year that the foundation awarded money to the CASA program in the Fourth Judicial District.

The CASA program provides court advocacy services to children who are living in foster care because of abuse or neglect.

The prosecution and defense in the Eric Vigil murder trial agreed last week that the crimes were horrendous and brutal.
On the night of Dec. 19 or the early morning hours of Dec. 20, 2007, Damian Ortiz, 24, was shot in the head four times, three times in the temple at close range and once on the top of his head.

His fiancee, Stephanie Dimas, 25, was also shot four times, twice in the face, once near her right ear and once in the back of her head.

Students in the Las Vegas City Schools district will be facing a major change when they return to school next month.

During a board meeting on Thursday, the East school board voted unanimously to return to the five-day school week, despite superintendent Sheryl McNellis-Martinez’s recommendation that schools remain on a four-day schedule.

In a split vote last June, the district switched to a four-day school week citing budgetary needs and mandatory professional development for teachers.

PECOS — Forecasters are calling for more thunderstorms to settle in over the burned mountainsides of New Mexico, prompting some communities to brace for flash flooding.

The chance of storms dumping more moisture on the areas left bare by a series of recent wildfires is better than 60 percent. This risk is highest today, according to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque.

About 70 percent of New Mexico’s public schools improved or maintained their letter grade that rates their performance this year, and more than a third received an A or B, state officials announced Thursday.